Depot Ras Al Khaimah, Apr. 15th, 2007 (WAM)---H.H. Sheikh Saudbin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah,opened the RAK Global Logistics Park and Inland Container Depotset up by RAK Global Logistics LLC, a Joint Venture between RAKCeramics PSC and Global Cargo System Ltd at a function held herelast evening.

The ultra- modern Logistics Park located at the heart of thefast growing industrial zone in RAK has a warehousing capacityof 2500 square metres plus a 12 meter high fully racked warehousewhich is capable of storing and distributing around 10,000 cubicmetre of cargo. The new Inland Container Depot is spread over20,000 square metres and is equipped to handle 1500 TEU's.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Saud said that the new facilitywould considerably enhance the logistics infrastructure of RasAl Khaimah, thereby adding to its competitive advantages on theindustrial and manufacturing front. "Logistics has become a criticalelement for economic success in the global village of today andwe are happy that RAK is moving ahead with its plans to increaseits port and airport infrastructure and logistics connectivity,"he said.

"RAK today has a state- of- the- art Container Terminal and boaststhe best bulk handling port in the region. We are also goingahead with the development of the RAK Port and the Al Jeer Port,"he said and added that these developments coupled with the expansionplans for the RAK Airport and the launch of RAK Airways wouldboost the logistics infrastructure of the Emirate tremendously.

Ven Govinda, CEO of RAK Global Logistics, said that the LogisticsPark is equipped with most modern facilities including the latestWMS (Warehouse Management System) software. The cargo movementsare monitored by RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technologywhich could be tracked by customers on the company's web portalover the internet. The Logistics Park also houses a BusinessCentre which would offer fully furnished and serviced officesto investors, shipping lines and international freight forwardersto facilitate their operations.

Ven Govinda said that the new Inland Container Depot (ICD) inRAK will provide a cutting edge to the manufacturers for planningtheir loading and unloading. "The new ICD will meet the instantrequirement of manufacturers and traders for efficient supplychain management. To support the ICD operation we have formeda new company called RAK Global Transport LLC with the existingfleet of 50 trailers and trucks and to be expanded upto 200 unitsin near future," he added. He said that the company had importeda TOP Loader for the efficient functioning of Inland ContainerDepot.

He said that RAK Global Logistics is interested in setting upa one million square metre RAK Logistics City near the EmiratesRoad with the patronage of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah.

"This facility will provide an unparalleled infrastructure andflexibility to meet the growing demand of this blessed countryand region. The RAK Logistics City will invite all the multinationallogistics operators, co-packers, value adding organizations,distribution centers and international supply chain organizationsto participate on a value for money infrastructure to turn thisdream into a reality," he added.

Ven Govinda said that in its less than three years of operations,RAK Global Logistics has been able to establish itself as a leadingplayer in the logistics industry. " RGL now handles a volumeof 60,000 TEUs in a year and as a group (RGL & Direct Shipping)handle a volume of 110,000 TEUs and expects to grow by at least15 percent annually. RGL handles export and import from 125 nationshandling raw material to finished products," he said.

Dr. Khater Massaad, Advisor to the RAK Crown Prince and Chairmanof RAK Global Logistics, said that the modern logistics parkand advanced logistics support would put RAK even higher on theinternational business map as a preferred manufacturing and industrialhub.